How to Create a Cyber-Proof Startup

So you’ve begun a startup that’s got some technical edge to it. Congrats! You’ve entered a field with much demand for business, depending on what angle you have entering it. But beware! There are a lot of criminals out there that hack their way into systems all the time to steal vital information. That said, you’ll want to make sure you have a good cyber-proof startup system.

That means not only protecting data from attacks but also watching out for warning signs that someone could try to break in. Sometimes they’re easy to spot (like with a phishing email), but other times they might be a little sneaky. How can someone make sure they’ve got a cyber-proof startup on their hands?

Here are some tips that will leave you technically sound when it comes to protecting the digital side of your business!

The First Step to Being a Cyber-Proof Startup? Encryption and Backing Up Data

You may be familiar with data breaches, in which thousands of pieces of information end up stolen in the blink of an eye. Now, having a strong, security-protected connection is good to have. However, for some, backing up data is an absolute must for a cyber-proof startup.

The first step is encryption. This forces your data to actually have protection in your systems. That way, if someone does manage to grab it, it’s going to be useless without the coded encryption. So make sure that when you do set up your computer systems, you have a good encryption system to go along with it.

That’s not enough, though. You’ll also want to make sure your data has the backup capability. That means storing the information on a backup server that only you and select others have access to. And it also means continuously saving data so that it’s always up to date, just in case of a breach.

Following these two steps will not only keep your information safe but also updated regularly. Without that, the thought of having a cyber-proof startup is long gone.

Make Sure You and Others Are Trained in Cyber Security

The next step to take to ensure that those dastardly hackers can’t break into your system is to make sure you and your staff are on the same page. After all, a cyber-proof startup is useless if anyone is able to let a bad email slip past.

That means having someone on your technical team explain where threats can come from. These include links given out in messaging services; bad emails that are part of some kind of phishing scam; and similar links. These can actually cause damage to your servers without you even knowing it. So the first step is to educate on these, watching out for anything that could literally result in a hack.

You’ll also want to make sure to have secure servers, and maybe even limit some online interactions with work computers. People might still be able to use their phones or other devices, but work computers should be just that – work computers. Otherwise, you may visit sites that could have questionable security; and then you’ll have a real problem on your hands.

Just make sure Internet browsing and email rules are given promptly to staff. You don’t have to be super uptight, just aware of what threats to your cyber-proof startup look like. Otherwise, someone could easily let the wrong kind of attack in.

Performing Regular Audits to Confirm Your Cyber-Proof Startup Status

Last but definitely not least, even if you don’t see any threats on the horizon to your cyber-proof startup, it never ever hurts to check. That’s why you and your security team should perform audits whenever you get the chance.

With these audits, you can test out your systems to see how well your security is put into place. You can also check email servers, as well as the protection of your encryption and backup servers. You won’t necessarily want to go with a dangerous threat, but just something where you can test the limits of your cyber-proof startup to see if it’s set to go.

Consult with a technical person on your team that understands said systems to get an audit in place. Then make sure you and your employees are on the same page for it, and proceed. The test could easily bring up some alarming news, or maybe nothing at all. Still, they’re there for a reason – to make sure that everything is up to speed. Doesn’t hurt.

So, to recap, just make sure you have the best encryption and backup tools. Keep your team educated on any potential threats from online use. And perform regular audits, preferably with the help of someone on your technical team. By doing all of this, those hackers won’t stand a chance against your cyber-proof startup!

The post How to Create a Cyber-Proof Startup appeared first on KillerStartups.